Chamonix-Zermatt, the Haute Route ski tour

Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route: a memorable tour through the heart of the Alps. Six days from hut to hut, among glaciers and deep slopes with one of the IFMGA-certified guides in the Peakshunter team!

Mountain RangeAlps

Duration6 days

Offer periodMar, Apr, May

Type of tripNot specified

Description

A 6-day ski touring trip that you cannot miss if you are coming to Chamonix.

Let me share with you this incredible program I have planned in the region of Chamonix-Zermatt. It’s about a ski mountaineering tour along the famous Haute Route (High Route) that connects Switzerland to France.

This route runs from Chamonix to Zermatt and it is the most iconic ski tour of the world. Moreover, I love to take my clients and friends through the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route because:

Its region has a legendary and historic atmosphere;

There are really rewarding climbs with breathtaking descents;

The Haute Route offers one of the most amazing views along the way.

Regarding the technical difficulty, keep in mind that the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route is a long high-altitude challenge. That’s why it requires a good overall level of training and a proper physical condition.

At the bottom of this description you can find a sample itinerary of this 6-day trip. You can also find details about the accommodation nights and the average ascent time for each day.

For any other doubt or if you’re decided and want to book your place for the next departure, contact me. You can fill out the form and I’ll answer as soon as possible. I am happy to lead this exciting tour in the amazing region of Chamonix-Zermatt!

For all itineraries and activity programs, the guide reserves the right to make changes based on conditions (weather, accessibility, lodges) and on the participants’ fitness level.

More info

- Research and rescue insurance with IFMGA coverage (recommended): €12 per person for 7 days. Hiring of any personal equipment (harness, ice axe, crampons and helmet): €15 per person.
- The mountain guide’s expenses (lifts, transfers, meals and accommodation) are not included in the price and must be covered by participants.
- Taxi service to Le Châble (CHF 120, divided among all participants).
- Fees for lift facilities, transfers and mountain lodges are subject to changes established and applied by they respective owners, without any liability attributable to the mountain guide.

Meeting point

In Courmayeur.

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Photos

Itinerary

Day 1: Courmayeur - Argentière Hut

We’ll meet in Courmayeur for the equipment check and a short briefing. Transfer to Argentière from where a cable car will take us to the Col des Grands Montets. We’ll then begin a descent on the Rognons Glacier until we reach the Argentière Glacier. After a while we’ll reach the Argentière Hut, where we will spend the night.

The altitude gain will be 200 meters and the ascent time for the day, about 3 hours.

Day 2: Champex

We’ll leave the hut around 7 am. We’ll begin skiing down a stretch of the Argentière Glacier. We’ll then skin up to a 200-meter snowy couloir, which we’ll ascend with ropes and crampons up to Col Passon. From here we’ll enter the Le Tour Glacier. We’ll cross in direction to the Col Superieur du Tour. The col gives us access to the Trient Plateau, which we’ll traverse descending until we’re under the Col des Ecadies. Along easy slopes we’ll ski down the entire Val d’Arpette until we reach Champex, where we will stop for the night.

The elevation gain for the day will be 1000 meters and the ascent time between 6 and 8 hours in total.

Day 3: Cabane de Prafleuri

A transfer will take us from Champex to Le Châble. Then, a gondola lift will make us get into the Verbier ski area. Two more lifts to Col des Gentianes. After a 200-meter descent, we’ll put the skins on and move to Col de La Chaux. Another descent and we’ll skin up towards Col Momin. When we reach the Rosablanche, we’ll be able to see the Pigne d’Arolla. After that, a descent will take us to the Cabane de Prafleuri, where we’ll have dinner and sleep.

Today we will ascend around 6 hours with a total altitude change of 800 meters.

Day 4: Cabane des Dix

From the hut, we’ll get to the Col des Roux in about 30 minutes. We’ll take off the skins and start a long descent above the reservoir of the Grande Dixence Dam. At the end of the lake, we’ll put our skins back on and ascend the Pas du Chat, then continue until we reach the Cabane des Dix. Dinner and overnight stay in the hut.

Vertical drop: 800 meters. Ascent time: 7-8 hours.

Day 5: Cabane des Vignettes

We’ll start by ascending the Cheillon Glacier up to Col du Brenay, then continue to the Pigne d’Arolla. Here we’ll enjoy a breathtaking 360° view of the Western Alps!!! Then, a great descent on glacier will lead us to the Cabane des Vignettes, for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

The altitude change for the day will be 850 meters with a total ascent time of 6-7 hours.

Day 6: Getting to Zermatt

We’ll ski down to the Col de Charmontane and from the Arolla Glacier, we’ll ascend to the Col de l’Eveque. Once we’re under the Col du Mont Brulé, we’ll put our skis on and our backpacks and climb the 200 meters that separate us from the col. Another descent will take us right in the middle of the Tsan Glacier. Then a long but easy ascent will take us to the Col de Valpelline. From here we’ll enjoy an unbelievable view of the Dent d’Herens and the Matterhorn’s west face. Finally we’ll begin the iconic descent to Zermatt, with a 2,500-meter vertical drop, down the Stockji Glacier, under the Matterhorn’s north face.

About the guide

Founded in 2013 by Elis and Silvia, PEAKSHUNTER is a team of IFMGA-certified mountain guides.

Although we all have different backgrounds and experiences, we share the same goals and projects and, more than anything, love our job and share a deep passion for the mountains.

Professionalism and safety are our core values because we love our job and we are passionate about Mountain and Nature.
We are enthusiastic to share new adventures and guarantee the most memorable emotions to all our clients.
If you are interested in experience the beauty of Nature and the power of the Mountains, Peakshunter Mountain Guides will be happy to guide you! We want to provide you with intense emotions and want to be there to share them with you. We feel we've done our job when there are big, cheesy smiles on everybody's faces at the end of the day.

We want to build a strong, long-lasting relationship with our clients, based on the respect we feel for everyone who joins us in the exploration of this striking vertical world.

Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Monterosa, Dufourspitze and Margherita Hut, Gran Paradiso, Breithorn, Castor and Pollux are only a few of several 4000 Alps summits next to the area we live and work: the beautiful little Aosta Valley region, close to French and Swiss borders and not far from Geneva, Milan and Turin international airports.

Realize your dreams, discovering breathtaking views or simply living an extraordinary day: you just need to use your imagination and we will realize your trip as you desire to live it!

Peakshunter Mountain Guides team will be happy to guide you, sharing adventures and being you companions, personal trainers, consultants and expertise supporters for all you need in planning the next Mountain dream!

Languages

English | French | Italian

Certificates

IFMGA

Residence

Aosta Valley, Italy

For booking assistance

Have any doubts? Talk directly with an Explore Share assistant.The Concierge service is a great tool for when you still haven't decided what kind of Adventure you're looking for and you're open to suggestions

Prices per person

Price includes

• Guiding fee

Price details

• The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).

What people are saying about this trip

Matthew

5.00

March 2019

Claudio is an excellent guide who takes safety seriously. He is extremely knowledgeable and was able to judge our capabilities and pace our trips perfectly. We hired Claudio for a small group trip on two occasions in 2018 and 2019 and will go with him again in 2021 if we can. Our attempts at the Haute Route both failed after 4-5 days due to bad weather, but sooner or later we will complete it!